Adding a 120amp alternator?

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Offline brads70

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Adding a 120amp alternator?
« on: July 22, 2013 - 10:40:13 PM »
Ok so I'm looking at buying this...http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/mabwealbrkit.html
I already have a MSD box,  electric fuel pump, and an electric  fan on the rad . I bought a 2 stage electric fan at Carlisle and assume it will draw more amperage than the current HHR fan so I was thinking of upgrading the alternator.
Question..... considering these cars were never designed  to use a 120 amp alternator what do I need to add/beef up/upgrade to safely run a 120amp alternator?  I already know about the amp gauge issue and plan on converting it to a voltmeter, but what else?  I currently have a big wire going from the alternator directly to the battery.
Thanks all, electronics is not my strong point!  :grinno:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2013 - 12:16:27 AM »
Sounds like you have most of it covered , the one car I built literally ran the battery dead while driving it as it had so many power options added , so you want a 12v bus or a fuse block , every GM truck has a bus under hood [it is a connector strip with 5-6 posts on it ], use relays for everything & shunt the power from the bus, so connect everything to the bus that is not stock this will keep all the power all under hood , connect the battery to the bus , as the battery drops the reg will tell the alt to charge to keep up with the draw as needed . I would add fusable link to each circuit off the bus or you can jump the battery to an under hood fuse block & skip the bus most modern cars are this way with a relay & underhood fuse block , this way any power for the accessories added will not go through the firewall or ammeter at all .
 We were running 2 electric fans , an electric water pump , 2 electric fuel pumps , EFI computer , & all of the stock systems with a 60 amp alt it went dead while running LOL

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline brads70

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2013 - 12:37:45 AM »
Thanks, any recommendations for an underhood  fuse block?
« Last Edit: July 23, 2013 - 09:28:34 AM by brads70 »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2013 - 01:17:49 AM »
Anything from the last 15 years or so in a wrecking yard , most have relays & fuses in them , personally I would use a Mopar box LOL

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Edison1970

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2013 - 10:48:57 PM »
When I put a 440 cop motor in my 70 Challenger back in 1981, it had the HO alternator and I don't remember having to do anything special to run it.  The only thing that does come to mind is the head lights never dimmed again.

Offline Bullitt-

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Offline brads70

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2013 - 09:42:27 PM »
What about this for a fuse block? I like that it's water proof?
http://www.bluesea.com/products/7725/SafetyHub_100_Fuse_Block
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2013 - 09:46:03 AM »
That would work , what is the cost ? Wrecker are virtually free LOL

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline brads70

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2013 - 10:17:06 AM »
That would work , what is the cost ? Wrecker are virtually free LOL

It's about 70 bucks. I searched around the wreckers yesterday but with all the salt they use around here they were all green or rusty looking. :eek4:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline brads70

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2013 - 10:21:57 AM »
Question... on the fuse block I linked to.... those three 30A−200A MIDI®/AMI® fuses   could I run my starter wire to one of those? I'm planning on moving the battery to the trunk and running a battery cable up to this fuse block? How many amps does a starter draw? ( wondering what fuse to use?)
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Bullitt-

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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2013 - 06:57:45 PM »
I think it would be a bad idea to have your starter on any kind of fuse block.

You only need max power to it for a few seconds, then it's out of the equation as far as current draw.

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
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Offline brads70

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2013 - 07:25:16 PM »
standard chrysler starter looks like about 53amps @ 12v

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Starter-Remfd/_/R-NAE76001_0057839959

mini starter more like 67amps @ 12v

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Starter-Remfd/_/R-NAE17573_0057848091

I think it would be a bad idea to have your starter on any kind of fuse block.

You only need max power to it for a few seconds, then it's out of the equation as far as current draw.


Thanks guys!  :2thumbs:  I was at the store today looking at the fuse block I linked to. Those fuses go all the way up to 200amps?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline dodj

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Re: Adding a 120amp alternator?
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2013 - 08:29:07 PM »
How many amps does a starter draw? ( wondering what fuse to use?)
Starting current is very high. Many times starter nameplate rating. Initial inrush would likely blow any fuse you put in there. Don't fuse the starter.  :2cents:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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